Effects and end of Missions of California


Posted April 6, 2015 by AldoMoore

Learn more about California Missions – visit Old Mission San Luis Rey Museum at Oceanside, CA or take visit online museum presentation at http://www.sanluisrey.org/museum/
 
The missions of California brought with itself a while of changes in the western world. It changed the lives of the Native Americans. The first mission was Mission San Diego Alcala founded by Father Serra. In the time span of 54 years, twenty-one missions http://www.sanluisrey.org/museum/ were built.

The architectural mission
One of the effects other than conversion of Native Americans and colonization of the natives, architectural changes also came into light. Architecture became popular because architecture helped people to get shelters and protect themselves from wild animals and harmful people. It also gave a common place for missions to operate. When churches were built, they were in the shape of a quadrangle or square so that it could defend it when attacked. All sides of it were defended by the buildings. The La Pursima was closed at night so that no one could get in harm. The building was constructed in a straight line to protect it from earthquakes.

How were churches built?
The missions did not have much raw materials to construct buildings; therefore they usually used wood, reeds and straps. But it was not easy to maintain them as they couldn't sustain nature and even caught fire easily. Slowly mud tiles and bricks were used to construct floors and walls. Arches were made to support the roof and keep the buildings strong. Arches are the main element which is visible in the mission architecture. Each architectural solution was taken out to solve practical problems in the church like the corridors kept the churches cool.

The end of Mission rule
In the year 1810, Spain wanted to break free from the clutches of the mission administration and domination. At that time Spain was engaged in war with France and it could not send enough resources to sustain the missions. As the missions starting losing its prominence, new settlers came and started acquiring land. As the population grew, people started to force the government to withdraw mission rule and secularize them. When Spain lost to Mexico, a law was passed which freed every neophyte from the mission rule. They could choose to stay or leave at will. When food supply became limited, many mission workers could not sustain themselves and look to other means to sustain themselves and their families. The Spanish government therefore passed a law which divided the natives and priests wherein the natives could live in the town and the priests could live in and take care o the churches and religious buildings.

The effects of the mission rule
The Missions of California affected the American native's lives. What we cannot rule out is that these priests actually taught the natives to live and follow a religion which brought people together. They were introduced to the western world and freed themselves from their primitive ways of living. Though they were generally servants but they still went through a sea of change. The Europeans also brought diseases with them, which resulted in deaths of many natives. There were advantages and disadvantages.

Learn more about California Missions – visit Old Mission San Luis Rey Museum at Oceanside, CA or take visit online museum presentation at http://www.sanluisrey.org/museum/

Contact :
Contact Person: Maureen Sullivan
E-mail: [email protected]
Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Address: 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057-6402
Tel/Fax: (760) 757-3651
Website: http://www.sanluisrey.org/
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Issued By Maureen Sullivan
Website Effects and end of Missions of California
Phone (760) 757-3651
Business Address 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057-6402
Country United States
Categories Business
Tags california missions , mission , missions of california , museum , oceanside missions
Last Updated April 6, 2015